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Rabat – The death toll from Israel’s genocide on Gaza has reached 61,709, a significant jump from the initial reported 47,163, as medics continue to recover bodies from under the rubble.
The head of the Gaza Government Information Office, Salama Maarouf, revealed during a press conference today that the bodies of 76% of Palestinians killed during the genocide have been recovered and transported to medical centers.
Meanwhile, at least 14,222 Gazans remain unaccounted for, mostly believed to be trapped under the rubble or in areas medics cannot reach.
“More than 2 million people have been forcibly displaced, some more than 25 times, under dire conditions lacking basic services,” Maarouf said.
The updated death toll announcement comes during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which allowed rescue teams to resume their work in previously inaccessible areas.
The first phase, lasting six weeks, involves a temporary ceasefire and the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
During this time, Palestinians are returning to their homes in the north, and the enclave is witnessing a much-needed aid flow.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) are also from parts of Gaza, but still hold a strong presence in the enclave.
The second phase of the deal was supposed to start its negotiation phase today, and Hamas says they are ready to begin. However, it has reportedly been postponed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s request.
The Israeli head reportedly demanded that he meet with US President Donald Trump first, a meeting which is scheduled for tomorrow.
For the time being, Israeli negotiators are on standby to be sent to Qatar as the diplomatic efforts to come to a final solution and apply a permanent ceasefire in war-torn Gaza are now on pause.
For the next round of talks in Doha, the major points on the agenda are negotiating a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the IOF from Gaza, and the logistics for how Hamas will release the remaining Israeli hostages.
Meanwhile, the third phase of the agreement is set to include the return of all remaining bodies of dead hostages and the reconstruction of Gaza.
